INTRODUCTION TOWN PROFILE (cont)

Transportation

Parker is located in northeast Douglas County, approximately five miles east of I-25. The E-470 tollway runs through the northern portion of town and the 15 to 20-minute commute to the Meridian, Inverness and Denver Tech Center business parks is easily made via the expressway.

South Parker Road (Highway 83) provides connectivity and convenient access for commuters. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) also serves the Parker community by providing rapid transit services, including the Light Rail on Lincoln Avenue and a FlexRide system to various businesses and residential areas.

Airports

Centennial Airport, located about 15 minutes from central Parker, is the third-busiest general aviation facility in the country, handling corporate and charter air traffic. Denver International Airport (DIA) is approximately 30 miles northeast of Parker and can be reached in 30 minutes via E-470.

Recreation

Parker residents enjoy many recreational opportunities, including a state-of-the-art library, a senior center and 17 public parks. The public parks contain a variety of facilities including soccer, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, an ice skating trail, skate park, walking trails, picnic pavilions and playgrounds, as well as a dog park and disc golf course. The Town’s Railbender Skate and Tennis Park is a favorite for many local in-line skaters and skateboarders.

The Parker Fieldhouse is a 100,000-square-foot indoor facility that features basketball courts, a 25-foot climbing wall, inline hockey rink, turf field, fitness center, running track and batting cages. Program participation continues to exceed expectations.

The Recreation Center is home to an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool that is used by the high school swim teams, as well as for swimming lessons, exercise classes and year-round recreational swimming. The facility also includes basketball courts, work-out area with state-of-the-art equipment, cycling area and classrooms for various activities.

H2O’Brien Pool, the recently renovated outdoor swimming pool, features slides, a zero-depth entry, water cannons and a fort in the pool that allows kids and adults to play and relax.

Parker Recreation is much more than facilities. Our community enjoys a full range of adult and youth programming, including year-round swimming lessons, youth and adult sports and special interest classes, arts and crafts classes and cultural events. Recreational sport leagues are available year-round for nearly all age groups.

Arts, Culture and Events

From festivals and events to public art and performances, Parker is an exceptionally artistic and creative community.

The Parker Arts, Culture and Events (PACE) Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2021. Home to a 500-seat theater, 250-seat amphitheater, art gallery, event room, dance studio, culinary teaching kitchen, visual arts studios, media room and several classrooms, the PACE Center provides a wide variety of family-oriented cultural, arts, scientific and educational programming to the region and serves as a rental venue for community, business and social events.

The Schoolhouse, located in the heart of downtown Parker, continues to house fantastic events, shows, classes and art. Originally opened in 1915 as the Parker School House, the building operated as a school until 1967 and was acquired by the Town in 1995. The Schoolhouse includes a 200seat theater, as well as a dance studio and classrooms for community, cultural and recreational activities.

Parker Tax Rates

The Town’s property tax rate is 2.602 mills, which is one of the lowest property tax rates in the state. The Town’s sales tax rate is 3% and is the largest revenue source for the Town. The total sales tax rate in Parker is 8% and includes the state, county and RTD. Of the Town’s 3% sales tax, 2.5% is directed to the General Fund to support the majority of the Town’s operations including public safety and public works. The other 0.5% is dedicated to meeting Parker’s parks, recreation and open space needs.

Economy and Demographics

In addition to the excellent recreation, education, health care, transportation access and water amenities currently available, strong demographics in Parker and Douglas County support the Town’s economic activity and growth. The following set of data and graphical information illustrates various demographic and economic indicators of the Town and the surrounding area.